Vegetarianism is the last topic I ever thought I’d speak about publicly, even though I am a life-long vegetarian. I have never eaten meat or fish in my life but I’ve never thought about it much.
Monday, October 4, 2010
Luke Ford's Vegetarian Journey III
Even though Christianity and Judaism share the Hebrew Bible in common, they read it completely differently. Christians read it primarily for the stories, particularly the stories that they believe predict the coming of the Messiah. Jews study the Hebrew Bible particularly for the laws.
Seventh-Day Adventism emerged out of the Millerite movement of the 1830s. That was started by the preacher William Miller who said the world was coming to an end.
On what basis did he say this? Daniel 8:14: “Unto two thousand and three hundred days; then shall the sanctuary be cleansed.”
Using the year-day principle, 2300 days becomes 2300 years. 2300 years from 456 BCE means 1844 CE. On Yom Kippur, 1844, Jesus was supposed to come back.
He didn’t come back. Adventists asked themselves why not. They searched the Bible. They found a text in Jeremiah that said that if all Israel kept two Sabbaths, the Messiah would come. The Adventists regarded themselves as the true Israel. They are supercessionists. That’s why they don’t care about modern state of Israel. It has no religious significance to Adventists.
Luke Ford's Vegetarian Journey II
My vegetarianism is something that comes up in conversation almost every time I eat with people. It came up at kiddish yesterday when I asked if the cholent was vegetarian. It wasn’t.
I don’t proselytize for vegetarianism. I’m a vegetarian by habit. Yes, I think it is a good thing, but it is not something I am passionate about.
Why am I a vegetarian? Because I was raised that way. I was brought up a Seventh-Day Adventist. That’s a type of Protestant Christianity.
Let’s deconstruct the term “Seventh-Day Adventist.” The “Seventh-Day” part means that Adventists keep the Seventh day Sabbath. From sundown Friday night to sundown Saturday night is holy time. You don’t work. Now Seventh-Day Adventists are not as strict about the Sabbath as observant Jews. Seventh-Day Adventists drive on the Sabbath. They’ll turn on lights on the Sabbath. They’ll heat up food on the Sabbath, though they generally won’t cook on the Sabbath. Some Adventists will even watch TV on the Sabbath, but if they’re religious as opposed to simply cultural Adventists, they’ll only watch one of the three satellite Seventh-Day Adventist channels.
The “Adventist” part of Seventh-Day Adventist means that they believe in the imminent advent of Jesus Christ. They think he’s coming back soon and that he will take them away to Heaven. Adventists are into eschatology. That means the study of the time of the end. Adventists are into apocalyptic. Apocalyptic means the disclosure of something hidden. The apocalypse can refer to the final battle that will end all battles – Armaggedon.
Luke Ford's Vegetarian Journey
Vegetarianism is the last topic I ever thought I’d speak about publicly, even though I am a life-long vegetarian. I have never eaten meat or fish in my life but I’ve never thought about it much.
Until now. You’re forcing me to think, to examine my ways.
By the way, I don’t get why people always ask me, after they hear I’m vegetarian, if I eat fish.
Seventh-Day Adventists take it for granted that if you say you are a vegetarian, that you don’t eat fish.
I was raised a Seventh-Day Adventist. I was raised a vegetarian. I’ve always taken it for granted. My family is vegetarian.
Sunday, October 3, 2010
Jizo and Chibi III
Entrepreneurs who make a difference are inspiring: they combine a personal passion with professional success. One such person is Valerie Johns, the Founder and President of Jizo and Chibi (
), a line of Buddhist-inspired jewelery that is beautiful and spiritually authentic. The latter is a key point of distinction from other brands, since Valerie offers people something different, something better. That is, her products resonate with the culture and traditions of Buddhism while appealing to people of all interests and faiths. Her training as a therapist and author also complements her work as an entrepreneur, because she wants to help people. I know of few companies with this level of personal outreach - and sincerity! - which explains the success of her business and the accolades she enjoys from consumers worldwide. I recently had the privilege of speaking with Valerie, and I encourage readers to learn more about Jizo and Chibi.
Jizo and Chibi
Entrepreneurs who make a difference are inspiring: they combine a personal passion with professional success. One such person is Valerie Johns, the Founder and President of Jizo and Chibi (
www.jizoandchibi.com), a line of Buddhist-inspired jewelery that is beautiful and spiritually authentic. The latter is a key point of distinction from other brands, since Valerie offers people something different, something better. That is, her products resonate with the culture and traditions of Buddhism while appealing to people of all interests and faiths. Her training as a therapist and author also complements her work as an entrepreneur, because she wants to help people. I know of few companies with this level of personal outreach - and sincerity! - which explains the success of her business and the accolades she enjoys from consumers worldwide. I recently had the privilege of speaking with Valerie, and I encourage readers to learn more about Jizo and Chibi.
Jizo and Chibi II
Entrepreneurs who make a difference are inspiring: they combine a personal passion with professional success. One such person is Valerie Johns, the Founder and President of Jizo and Chibi (
), a line of Buddhist-inspired jewelery that is beautiful and spiritually authentic. The latter is a key point of distinction from other brands, since Valerie offers people something different, something better. That is, her products resonate with the culture and traditions of Buddhism while appealing to people of all interests and faiths. Her training as a therapist and author also complements her work as an entrepreneur, because she wants to help people. I know of few companies with this level of personal outreach - and sincerity! - which explains the success of her business and the accolades she enjoys from consumers worldwide. I recently had the privilege of speaking with Valerie, and I encourage readers to learn more about Jizo and Chibi.
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